Transitional Justice and Missing Persons Mechanism (TJ-MPM)
Missing Persons Mechanism (MPM)
PFRU supports national institutions involved in the search, verification, return, identification, and investigation of cases of missing persons. This support covers several stages of the process – from improving data systems and forensic capacity to strengthening coordination between institutions and supporting those who work directly with families, victims, and witnesses.
A major part of this work focuses on improving the tools and infrastructure needed to identify missing persons.
PFRU supports the development of a specialised IT solution for the Commissioner on Missing Persons, helping to store, process, and recognise data related to missing persons. It also contributes to the development of a national dental identification system through a database of dental X-ray snapshots, creating an alternative way to identify missing persons.
PFRU also helps strengthen Ukraine’s forensic capacity by supporting the deployment of a new full-fledged DNA laboratory at the Chernihiv Scientific and Research Centre of the Ministry of Interior. In addition, PFRU responds to urgent equipment needs by providing computers, freezers, diesel generators, and other critical items to the State Scientific and Research Centre of the Ministry of Interior of Ukraine.
This support also includes:
- providing six refrigerated containers to forensic medical bureaus to support the storage of repatriated bodies and remains;
- supporting the Commissioner on Missing Persons and the network of regional offices;
- providing MHPSS support to National Police investigators working on missing persons cases;
- supporting the National Information Bureau in storing data from four registers on missing persons;
- supporting the Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War in establishing and maintaining a hotline for family members;
- strengthening coordination between the Commissioner on Missing Persons and the National Police of Ukraine;
- supporting the Interregional Investigation Centre for Missing Persons in Dnipro, covering Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts;
- supporting the Office of the Prosecutor General in its work with victims and witnesses.
Children Affected by War (CAW)
Supporting the return and reintegration of children affected by war to Ukraine controlled territory, whilst promoting measures to strengthen policy and practices and prevent future violations against children.
Return: Supporting the Return of Abducted Children
We actively support the Bring Kids Back UA Initiative (BKB), providing strategic communications support to the Office of the President (OPU) to amplify efforts in the safe return of abducted children. Our work ensures that initiatives to bring children back are visible, coordinated, and impactful.
Respond: Supporting Reintegrating Returned Children
To support children who have safely returned, we are assisting in the recruitment of 13 experts for the Child Rights Protection Centre (CRPC). These experts monitor children’s rights and support programs focused on the reintegration of returned children, ensuring that every child receives protection and care as they reintegrate into their communities.
In Dnipro city and the pilot hromada of Verkhnodniprovsk, we are supporting civil society organizations, local authorities, and law enforcement to:
- Protect vulnerable youth
- Prevent recruitment by harmful actors
- Strengthen accountability for serious crimes against children
We also support the Verkhnodniprovsk Community in restructuring their child care system through:
- Delivery of a specialized vehicle for transporting clients of social services, including people with disabilities
- Renovation of Child Protection Service and Social Services Centre facilities
- Introduction of critical new services for children, such as child speech therapy, psychological support, and programs preventing teenage bullying
- Technical assistance on returning children under the peace process and strategic communication campaigns (BKB UA Task Force)
- Resource support for monitoring visits to reintegration services for returned children
- Building coordination across local offices critical to the reintegration of children affected by war (Dnipro pilot: SCA, SSC, CRPRC)
- Technical advising on alternative forms of remedial justice for vulnerable children in conflict with the law
